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In silico methods are an integral part of the allergenicity risk assessment process, both for novel foods and newly expressed proteins in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for food use. They help to identify novel proteins that have the potential to cause cross-reactive food allergies in the existing allergic population. Many of the tools developed rely on databases of curated allergen sequences but the curation process does not necessarily consider whether an allergen is clinically relevant and plays a role in triggering an IgE-mediated reaction. In order to fill this gap in our knowledge, a systematic review of allergens identified in a range of foods is planned. The foods include those for which food allergen labelling is mandated in the European Union and the UK, other foods such as fruit, which are known to cause IgE-mediated food allergies in at least 0.5% of the European population and foods of low allergenicity such as rice. The approach taken includes a Population-Outcome (PO) approach in order to address the primary research question “What scientific knowledge (evidence) is there that clinical manifestation(s) of IgE-mediated allergic reaction(s) are caused by ingestion of a food?”. A modified Population-Exposure-Comparator-Outcome (PECO) approach will be taken to address the secondary research question “Which food protein molecules are recognised by serum-IgE from individuals allergic to foods (identified by addressing the primary question) and are responsible for causing an IgE-mediated adverse reaction to those foods?” A protocol for executing the systematic review has been developed together with grading criteria and risk of bias analysis. The research process will be fully documented to allow the search to be assessed and reproduced as per PRISMA guidelines. &nbsp

Within FNS-Cloud, there are specific tasks (located in WP6 Dissemination, Communication & Community Engagement and WP7 Education, training & support) associated with the development of educational and professional development resources to support use of FNS-Cloud resources (data, tools, and services) but also address barrier to re-use of existing and emerging food [and] nutrition security resources including lack of (1) awareness and (2) confidence; (3) disparity in access; and (4) fragmentation. These activities have, in themselves, required innovative use of social and practice-based learning. In D7.4 Publication: Case Studies and Innovative User Cases, we describe two such innovations within FNS-Cloud. The first is a reflective paper on design and development of an online community of practice platform and its use as a collaboration tool by the consortium during the project and preparation for the platform as a key exploitable result, i.e., a sustainable resource hub for FNS-Cloud user communities. A critique is offered that allows for improved design and use of such platforms in future large multidisciplinary projects. We will never know if myFNSCloud might have fulfilled its potential sooner and more easily if face-to-face meetings had continued as normal, or a Google (shared) drive had not dominated as a route for collaboration and exchange, meaning the imperative for myFNSCloud was not clear and engagement minimal. Latterly, because face-to-face events were possible, value was delivered through training and personal development opportunities as well as providing a repository for education and training resources, increasing awareness and engagement. Now, the role of the platform as a knowledge hub has been clarified and there is an appreciation of its potential to add value for user communities. The second use case considers distribution of funds for practice-based learning and how these can be administered through a competitive scheme in a clear and transparent manner to support work within a large multidisciplinary and multinational research and innovation project. It is presented as a handbook, providing a background on practice-based learning, process for running such a scheme, criteria for assessment of such grants, and reflective reporting by recipients, which will be published via the FNSCloud Zenodo Community to encourage re-use and further development of practical learning schemes.

Roll-up poster published on behalf of the WASTELESS consortium

This deliverable aims to describe the implemented integration of FNS Cloud with external infrastructures and platforms such as EuroFIR AISBL, METORFOOD-RI, QUISPER ASBL, ELIXIR, and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

Deliverable 2.2 Catalogues for data sources and services focuses on catalogues for datasets, tools and services linked to FNS Cloud, existing and emerging, and search functionalities.

The FNS-Cloud Charter includes the text that will be presented to the General Assembly to be adopted by the members of the Consortium in the context of this project. The relevant aspects of Open Science and the ethical values that underpin the text of the Charter are previously studied so they will allow the members to understand the reasons that ground the proposal.

Priorities for Period 2 included revision of the website and creation of a Zenodo Community, based on Period 1 activities and outputs, capture and publication of event materials, and increased FNS-Cloud-specific social media content as well as continued collaboration with Blue-Cloud, which has brought about important results in a relatively short period of time (e.g., FAO uFish dataset). More specifically, beneficiaries’ logos have been updated on all outputs, social media accounts have been added to Office templates, the project website has been reviewed with the consortium and navigation for the community of practice (myFNSCloud) revised following feedback from new user communities, more and more audience-specific social media content has been generated, and posters, roll-ups, etc. updated or newly published. FNS-Cloud has also been presented to a range of user communities, largely through opportunities identified by multiplier organisations (EFFoST - NL, ILSI - BE, and IFA - AT) or the coordinator (RTDS – AT) with EuroFIR (BE) and/or QIB (UK), UCD (IE), PMT (CH), UWTDS (UK), NUTRIS (SI), and IMDEA (ES) delivering presentations about project aims/activities in general, or -more specifically- work done around the demonstrators to FNS researchers, IT specialists, and project consortia with common goals. The updated Dissemination and Community Engagement Plan (DCEP2022) covers the final Period (October 2022-September 2023). The primary aim of dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities remain building relationships, creating goodwill, persuading user communities to engage with FNS-Cloud and overcoming reluctance around FAIRification as well as asking for help. However, whilst activities during Period 3 focus on key exploitable results, there will also be an emphasis on sustainability, specifically what can be maintained after funding, whilst not imposing a burden on beneficiaries.

Food composition databases (FCDBs) form an integral part of nutrition and health research, patient treatment, manufacturing processes, and consumer information. FCDBs have traditionally been compiled at a national level; therefore, until recently, there was limited standardization of procedures across different data sets. Digital technologies now allow FCDB users to access a variety of information from different sources, which has emphasized the need for greater harmonization. The European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) Network of Excellence and Nexus projects (2005–2013) has been instrumental in addressing differences in FCDBs and in producing standardized protocols and quality schemes to compile and manage them. A formal, recognized European standard for food composition data has been prepared, which will further assist in the production of comparable data. Quality schemes need to address both the composition data, plus the methods of sampling, analysis, and calculation, and the documentation of processes. The EuroFIR data exchange platform provides a wealth of resources for composition compilers and end users and continues to develop new and innovative tools and methodologies. EuroFIR also is working in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority, and as a partner in several European projects. Through such collaborations, EuroFIR will continue to develop FCDB harmonization and to use new technologies to ensure sustainable future initiatives in the food composition activities that underpin food and health research in Europe.